Government to fast-track dairy scheme to boost milk production

New Delhi: With milk consumption likely to touch 180 million tons by 2022, the government on Wednesday said that it will fast-track the National Dairy Plan in the coming years to boost milk production for meeting the growing demand.

Milk demand at present is 130 million tons. The phase I of the National Dairy Plan (NDP) was launched with an expected investment of Rs 2,242 crore in April 2012 to focus on improving milch animal productivity and raise milk output through scientific approach.

"With growing incomes, the demand for milk is increasing rapidly in the country. Emerging trends indicate that milk demand is likely to be 150 million tons at the end of 12th five year plan and more than 180 million tons by the end of 13th plan," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament members.

To meet this demand, the incremental annual production of milk must grow at a rate of 6 million tons per year over the next 10 years, he said in a statement.

He emphasized the need to increase significantly the productivity of milch cattle to meet the growing demand under the NDP, which is implemented through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 14 states.

Noting that projects approval and implementation under the NDP have gained momentum from this fiscal, Pawar said," So far 117 sub projects from 14 states have been approved with a total outlay of Rs 786 crore. Under Project Management and learning 8 projects with a total outlay of Rs 18 crore have been approved."

As a part of scientific approach, the programme implementation under NDP requires an enabling policy environment by state governments.

"Although the compliance of key policy measures by the state governments took some time in procedural formalities during the first year of programme implementation, the speed of project approval and implementation has gained momentum during current financial year," Pawar said.

The Minister also informed the committee that access to good quality milk as a source of nutrition, especially for children and women, could be ensured by higher levels of milk production.

Furthermore, it is essential to assist rural farmers in gaining greater access to organized markets, he added.

The Indian dairy sector, which engages around 7 crore households, mainly women from the families of small and marginal farmers, grew at 4.2 percent last decade.